Photos: Jim McElwain tailgates with UF fans prior to Birmingham Bowl

“Eating popcorn. I’m going to see what the normal guy does. Maybe we’ll go tailgate. We go do that, Bernie, go set up a grill?”

New Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain joked at his press conference that he may go tailgating at the Gators’ Birmingham Bowl matchup.

And then he followed through.

Before today’s game between Florida and ECU, McElwain visited a number of tailgates, meeting and taking photos with Florida fans.

New #Gators coach Jim McElwain has arrived at game pic.twitter.com/7kLgZovmVR

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

McElwain stops by his first tailgate…#Gators pic.twitter.com/MeBTk7lvsJ

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

C’mon, get on in here…McElwain to these guys pic.twitter.com/aNW3fOLEcP

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

The look on folks’ faces when he walks up unexpectedly is cool…McElwain enjoying himself pic.twitter.com/1u0vRV56rx

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

These guys said they’re still fans of Mac… pic.twitter.com/6xG7nYFyWA

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

Looking through some shots from @TimCaseyPhoto of McElwain’s pregame stroll around tailgates…this guy was pumped… pic.twitter.com/KppJEE09l9

— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) January 3, 2015

Coach Mac meeting #Gators fans at their tailgates https://t.co/X5rNYLDDpE

— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) January 3, 2015

Drew Laing

Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.